12
International Journal of Geology, Earth & Environmental Sciences ISSN: 2277-2081 (Online) An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jgee.htm 2015 Vol. 5 (2) May-August, pp. 128-140/Mishra et al. Research Article © Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 129 ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN DELHI FLORA * Anand Kumar Mishra 1 , Shakoor Ahmad Mir 1 , Maheshwar Prasad Sharma 1 and Herbhajan Singh 2 1 Department of Botany, Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi-110062, India 2 National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR) Dr. K. S. K. Marg, New Delhi-110012, India *Author for Correspondence ABSTRACT The present study deals with comprehensive list of invasive alien species in the flora of Delhi with background information on family, habit and nativity. A total of 102 alien plant species belonging to 69 genera and 33 families were documented based on secondary data and field observations. Literature and websites were consulted extensively for relevant information. About 61.76% are distributed to Tropical America and Tropical Africa (9.80%), contributed maximum proportion to the invasive alien flora of India. Habit-wise analysis shows that herbaceous species are dominant (85) followed by shrubs (8), grasses (4) sedges and climber (2) each. Maximum number of these alien species belong to Family Amaranthaceae (14 species) followed by Asteraceae and Fabaceae 13 species each. Keywords: Alien Species; Nativity; List; Delhi Flora INTRODUCTION Many different words like „alien‟, „exotic‟, non-indigenous‟, „non-native‟, „foreign‟ etc are used to explain species occurring in ecosystems to which they are not indigenous. IUCN the World Conservation Union (2002) uses the term „alien; encompassing all the terms (Shine et al., 2000). The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992) in its “Interim Guiding Principles for the Prevention, Introduction and Mitigation of Impacts of Alien Species‟, defines alien species as “a species occurring outside its normal distribution‟‟. When alien species starts proliferating and spreading beyond its definite limits, it is said to be invasive. Important attributes that make an alien species invasive include, its widespread geographical range, wide range of tolerance for temperature, precipitation and other weather extremes, ability to modify growth and development in response to changing environment, large reproductive output, short juvenile period, fast growth, capability of vegetative reproduction, fire resistance, better competitive ability, allelopathic nature, strong coppicing power, colonizing nature, various dispersal modes etc. Likewise, there are many attributes that make a habitat susceptible to invasive such as species poverty, poorly adapted native species, gaps created by disturbances, constant harvesting of indigenous vegetation for various purposes, presence of empty niches (Mantri et al., 2002). Invasion is usually noticed once the plant has already naturalized. As a result, the introduction of alien species has been recognized as one of the most serious threats to our ecological, social and economic well-being (Shine et al., 2000). As in other parts of the world, a wide spectrum of plants has been introduced to India through international trade and travel. Of the total plant species recorded from India, about 40 % have been identified as being alien (Saxena, 1991). About 25 % of the introduced species in India became invasive in a short period of time of 50-100 years (Murphy, 2001). Lantana camara, Ipomoea carnea and Cassia tora have established permanently as weeds in almost all parts of the country (Niraj, 2005). Outstanding studies related to alien plants in India are assigned by various workers such as Nair and Daspande (1960); Jain (1960, 1963); Nair (1961); Maheshwari (1960, 1962); Sahni (1965); Mehra (1966); McMillan (1967); Maheshwari and Paul (1975); Sharma and Panday (1984); Rawat et al., (1994); Fensham (1994); Prakash (2001); Kshirsagar and Patil (2002); Kshirsagar (2005), Raghubanshi et al., (2005); Singh and Chowdhary (2005); Sharma et al., (2005, 2007); Khuroo et al., (2006); Negi and Hajra (2007); Shah and Rashi (2007); Murthy et al., (2007); Srinivasan et al., (2007); Mathew and Habeeburrahman (2008); Raizada et al., (2008); Sahu and Singh (2008); Reddy (2008(a)); Reddy (2008(b)); Reddy et al., (2008), Singh et al., (2010) and Sekar (2013).

ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN DELHI FLORA - CIBTech · When alien species starts proliferating and spreading beyond its definite limits, it is said to be invasive. Important attributes that

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Page 1: ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN DELHI FLORA - CIBTech · When alien species starts proliferating and spreading beyond its definite limits, it is said to be invasive. Important attributes that

International Journal of Geology, Earth & Environmental Sciences ISSN: 2277-2081 (Online)

An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jgee.htm

2015 Vol. 5 (2) May-August, pp. 128-140/Mishra et al.

Research Article

© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 129

ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN DELHI FLORA *Anand Kumar Mishra

1, Shakoor Ahmad Mir

1, Maheshwar Prasad Sharma

1 and

Herbhajan Singh2

1Department of Botany, Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi-110062, India

2National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR) Dr. K. S. K. Marg,

New Delhi-110012, India

*Author for Correspondence

ABSTRACT

The present study deals with comprehensive list of invasive alien species in the flora of Delhi with

background information on family, habit and nativity. A total of 102 alien plant species belonging to 69

genera and 33 families were documented based on secondary data and field observations. Literature and

websites were consulted extensively for relevant information. About 61.76% are distributed to Tropical

America and Tropical Africa (9.80%), contributed maximum proportion to the invasive alien flora of

India. Habit-wise analysis shows that herbaceous species are dominant (85) followed by shrubs (8),

grasses (4) sedges and climber (2) each. Maximum number of these alien species belong to Family

Amaranthaceae (14 species) followed by Asteraceae and Fabaceae 13 species each.

Keywords: Alien Species; Nativity; List; Delhi Flora

INTRODUCTION Many different words like „alien‟, „exotic‟, non-indigenous‟, „non-native‟, „foreign‟ etc are used to

explain species occurring in ecosystems to which they are not indigenous. IUCN the World Conservation

Union (2002) uses the term „alien; encompassing all the terms (Shine et al., 2000). The Convention on

Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992) in its “Interim Guiding Principles for the Prevention, Introduction and

Mitigation of Impacts of Alien Species‟, defines alien species as “a species occurring outside its normal

distribution‟‟. When alien species starts proliferating and spreading beyond its definite limits, it is said to

be invasive. Important attributes that make an alien species invasive include, its widespread geographical

range, wide range of tolerance for temperature, precipitation and other weather extremes, ability to

modify growth and development in response to changing environment, large reproductive output, short

juvenile period, fast growth, capability of vegetative reproduction, fire resistance, better competitive

ability, allelopathic nature, strong coppicing power, colonizing nature, various dispersal modes etc.

Likewise, there are many attributes that make a habitat susceptible to invasive such as species poverty,

poorly adapted native species, gaps created by disturbances, constant harvesting of indigenous vegetation

for various purposes, presence of empty niches (Mantri et al., 2002). Invasion is usually noticed once the

plant has already naturalized. As a result, the introduction of alien species has been recognized as one of

the most serious threats to our ecological, social and economic well-being (Shine et al., 2000).

As in other parts of the world, a wide spectrum of plants has been introduced to India through

international trade and travel. Of the total plant species recorded from India, about 40 % have been

identified as being alien (Saxena, 1991). About 25 % of the introduced species in India became invasive

in a short period of time of 50-100 years (Murphy, 2001). Lantana camara, Ipomoea carnea and Cassia

tora have established permanently as weeds in almost all parts of the country (Niraj, 2005). Outstanding

studies related to alien plants in India are assigned by various workers such as Nair and Daspande (1960);

Jain (1960, 1963); Nair (1961); Maheshwari (1960, 1962); Sahni (1965); Mehra (1966); McMillan

(1967); Maheshwari and Paul (1975); Sharma and Panday (1984); Rawat et al., (1994); Fensham (1994);

Prakash (2001); Kshirsagar and Patil (2002); Kshirsagar (2005), Raghubanshi et al., (2005); Singh and

Chowdhary (2005); Sharma et al., (2005, 2007); Khuroo et al., (2006); Negi and Hajra (2007); Shah and

Rashi (2007); Murthy et al., (2007); Srinivasan et al., (2007); Mathew and Habeeburrahman (2008);

Raizada et al., (2008); Sahu and Singh (2008); Reddy (2008(a)); Reddy (2008(b)); Reddy et al., (2008),

Singh et al., (2010) and Sekar (2013).

Page 2: ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN DELHI FLORA - CIBTech · When alien species starts proliferating and spreading beyond its definite limits, it is said to be invasive. Important attributes that

International Journal of Geology, Earth & Environmental Sciences ISSN: 2277-2081 (Online)

An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jgee.htm

2015 Vol. 5 (2) May-August, pp. 128-140/Mishra et al.

Research Article

© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 130

The National capital territory of Delhi is a narrow strip of the Indo-gangetic plains which occupies

characteristic position between Thar desert, Aravali range and the Himalayas. The tract is located in the

northwest indo-gangetic plains (Kumar and Yadav, 2005). It comes under trans gangetic plains region.

Delhi is located in northern India between the latitudes of 28°-24'-17” and 28°- 53'-00” North and

longitudes of 76°-50'-24” and 77°-20'-37” East (figure 1.1). Delhi shares borders with the States of Uttar

Pradesh and Haryana (Economic Survey of Delhi, 2001). Delhi has an area of 1,483 sq. Kms. Its

maximum length is 51.90 kms and greatest width is 48.48 kms (Economy Survey Report of Delhi 2001).

Monsoon arrives in Delhi in the last week of June or first week of July. The average annual rainfall in is

66.6 cm. Delhi contains mean annual maximum temperature is 46 0

C as well minimum is 40 C due to

which December is coldest and June is hottest and month. The Present paper focus upon a complied

record of alien (invasive) plant species present in Delhi flora along with their habit composition and

nativity.

Figure 1.1: Map of Study Area

MATERIALS AND METHODS Intensive field studies were conducted to record the number of alien species in different habitats, i.e.

Ridge, Yamuna river bank, agricultural lands, wastelands, railway lines, forests (figure1.2).

Page 3: ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN DELHI FLORA - CIBTech · When alien species starts proliferating and spreading beyond its definite limits, it is said to be invasive. Important attributes that

International Journal of Geology, Earth & Environmental Sciences ISSN: 2277-2081 (Online)

An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jgee.htm

2015 Vol. 5 (2) May-August, pp. 128-140/Mishra et al.

Research Article

© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 131

Ridge Yamuna River banks

Agricultural fields Wasteland

Forests Railway lines

Figure 1.2: Various habitats of alien diversity in Delhi Flora

The information were also collected from available literature (Duthie, 1929; Maheshwari, 1963; Sharma

et al., 1984; Srivastava, 1993; Panday and Parmar, 1994; Singh and Srivastav, 1999; Shulka and Sinha,

2004; Naithani et al., 2007). The nativity of the alien plants was recorded from the published literature

(Bailey, 1949; Matthew, 1969; Maheshwari and Paul, 1975; Nayar, 1977; Hajra and Das, 1982; Saxena,

1991; Sharma and Paday, 1984; Pandey and Parmar, 1994; Wasson, 2003; Weber, 2003; Murthy et al.,

2007; Khuroo et al., 2007; Bentley and Trimen, 2008; Reddy, 2008; Singh et al., 2010; Dogra et al.,

Page 4: ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN DELHI FLORA - CIBTech · When alien species starts proliferating and spreading beyond its definite limits, it is said to be invasive. Important attributes that

International Journal of Geology, Earth & Environmental Sciences ISSN: 2277-2081 (Online)

An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jgee.htm

2015 Vol. 5 (2) May-August, pp. 128-140/Mishra et al.

Research Article

© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 132

2010; Sood et al., 2011; Sekar, 2012). Plants were categorized by life form (herb, shrub, climber and tree)

and habit (annual and perennial). Habitat (Ridge, Yamuna River bank, wasteland, agricultural fields,

forest, road-side etc.) of the species was also recorded along with the parasitic plants. The alien species

are enumerated alphabetically in tabular form, followed by author‟s citation, name of the Family, nativity,

life form, habit and habitat. Updated Nomenclature of plant species (www.theplantlist.org.) was also

undertaken.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Observations and Results

The study brought to light catalogue of alien (invasive) species in Delhi. A total of 102 species belonging

to 69 genera and 33 families were categorized as alien species following the literature of Raghubanshi et

al., (2005); Khuroo et al., (2006); Reddy et al., (2008) and Singh et al., (2010). These species constitute

0.58% of the Indian flora and 16.88% of total Delhi flora (Table 1.1).

Table 1.1: Alien plant diversity in Delhi Flora

S. No. Plant name Family Nativity Life

form

Habitat

1 Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Juss.

ex. Schult.

Amranthaceae Trop. America H R

2 Ageratum conyzoides (L.) L. Asteraceae Trop. America H Ca, W &

Ra

3 Alternanthera ficoidea (L.) Sm. Amranthaceae Trop. America H Ra &W

4 Alternanthera paronychioides

A.St. Hil.

Amranthaceae Trop. America H Y

5 Alternanthera philoxeroides

(Mart.) Griseb.

Amranthaceae Trop. America H Y

6 Alternanthera pungens Kunth. Amranthaceae Trop.America H R & W

7 Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.

Br. ex DC.

Amranthaceae Trop. America H Y

8 Amaranthus spinosus L. Amranthaceae Trop. America H Ra & Ro

9 Amaranthus cruentus L. Amranthaceae Trop. America H Ro. &

Ga.

10 Anagallis arvensis L. Primulaceae Europe H Ag

11 Antigonon leptopus Hook. &

Arn.

Polygonaceae Trop. America C Ro

12 Argemone maxicana L. Papaveraceae Trop. Central &

South America

H W

13 Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. Xanthorrhoeaceae Trop. America H Ag

14 Bidens biternata (Lour.) Merr.

& Sherff

Asteraceae Trop. America H W

15 Blainvillea acmella L.

Philipson

Asteraceae Trop. America H R

16 Blumea lacera (Burm.f.) DC. Asteraceae Trop. America H Ro

17 Borassus flabellifer L. Arecaceae Trop. Africa S Ro

18 Calotropis gigantea (L.)

Dryand.

Apocynaceae Trop. Africa S Ro

19 Calotropis procera (Aiton)

Dryand

Apocynaceae Trop. Africa S Ra & W

Page 5: ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN DELHI FLORA - CIBTech · When alien species starts proliferating and spreading beyond its definite limits, it is said to be invasive. Important attributes that

International Journal of Geology, Earth & Environmental Sciences ISSN: 2277-2081 (Online)

An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jgee.htm

2015 Vol. 5 (2) May-August, pp. 128-140/Mishra et al.

Research Article

© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 133

20 Cannabis sativa L. Cannabaceae Central Africa H Y & W

21 Celosia argentea L. Amranthaceae Trop. Africa H R

22 Chamaecrista absus (L.)

H.S.Irwin & Barneby

Fabaceae Trop. America H R

23 Chamaecrista pumila (Lam.)

K.Larsen

Fabaceae Trop. America H R

24 Chenopodium album L. Amranthaceae Europe H Ra & Ro

25 Chenopodium murale L. Amranthaceae Trop. America H Ag

26 Chromolaena odorata (L.)

R.M.King & H.Rob

Asteraceae Trop. America H Ya

27 Chloris barbata Sw. Poaceae Trop. America G R & Ra

28 Cleome gynandra L. Capparaceae Trop. America H R & W

29 Cleome viscosa L. Capparaceae Trop. America H R & Ra

30 Corchorus aestuans L. Malvaceae Trop. America H Ro

31 Corchorus tridens L. Malvaceae Trop. America H R

32 Croton bonplandianus Baill. Euphorbiaceae Temperate South

America

H Ra & W

33 Cuscuta chinensis Lam. Cuscutaceae Mediterranean H R & Ro

34 Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Cuscutaceae Mediterranean H Ro

35 Cyperus difformis L. Cyperaceae Trop. America Se Y

36 Cyperus iria L. Cyperaceae Trop. America Se R

37 Datura innoxia Mill. Solanaceae Trop. America S W

38 Datura metel L. Solanaceae Trop. America S W

39 Dicliptera paniculata (Forssk.)

I. Darbysh.

Acanthaceae Trop. America H R & Ro

40 Digera muricata (L.) Mart. Amranthaceae South West Asia H R & Ag

41 Dysphania ambrosioides (L.)

Mosyakin & Clemants

Amranthaceae Trop. America H Y

42 Echinochloa colona (L.) Link. Poaceae Trop. South

America

G Ra & Ca

43 Echinochloa crus-galli (L.)

P.Beauv.

Poaceae Trop. South

America

G Ra & Ro

44 Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. Asteraceae Trop. South

America

H R & W

45 Eichhornia crassipes (C.

Martius) Solms.

Pontederiaceae Trop. America H Ca & Y

46 Euphorbia cyathophora Murray Euphorbiaceae Trop. America H Ro

47 Euphorbia heterophylla L. Euphorbiaceae Trop. America H Ro & R

48 Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae Trop. America H R &Ag

49 Evolvulus nummularius (L.) L. Convolvulaceae Trop. America H R & La

50 Gnaphalium pensyvanicum

Willd.

Asteraceae Trop. America H Y

51 Gomphrena serrata L. Amranthaceae Trop. America H R

52 Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. Lamiaceae Trop. America H R & Ra

53 Indigofera linnaei Ali Fabaceae Trop. Africa H R

54 Indigofera astragalina DC. Fabaceae Trop. America H R

55 Indigofera linifolia (L.f.) Retz. Fabaceae Trop. South

America

H W

56 Ipomoea carnea Jacq. Convolvulaceae Trop. America S Ra

57 Ipomoea eriocarpa R.Br. Convolvulaceae Trop. Africa C R

Page 6: ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN DELHI FLORA - CIBTech · When alien species starts proliferating and spreading beyond its definite limits, it is said to be invasive. Important attributes that

International Journal of Geology, Earth & Environmental Sciences ISSN: 2277-2081 (Online)

An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jgee.htm

2015 Vol. 5 (2) May-August, pp. 128-140/Mishra et al.

Research Article

© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 134

58 Ipomoea hederifolia L. Convolvulaceae Trop. America H W

59 Ipomoea obscura (L.) Ker

Gawl.

Convolvulaceae Trop. Africa H R

60 Ipomoea pes-tigridis L. Convolvulaceae Trop. East Africa H R

61 Lantana x aculeata L. Verbenaceae Trop. America H R & W

62 Lathyrus aphaca L. Fabaceae Europe H Ag

63 Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.)

de.Wit.

Fabaceae Trop. America S R & Ro

64 Ludwigia adscendens (L.) H.

Hara.

Onagraceae Trop. America H Y

65 Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.) P.

H. Raven.

Onagraceae Trop. Africa H Y

66 Ludwigia perennis L. Onagraceae Trop. Africa H Y

67 Malvastrum coromandelianum

(L.) Garcke

Malvaceae Trop. America H W

68 Mazus pumilus (Burm. f.)

Steenis

Phrymaceae Asia H Ya & Ga

69 Martynia annua L. Martyniaceae Trop. America H R

70 Melilotus officinalis subsp. alba

(Medik.) H.Ohashi & Tateishi

Fabaceae Europe H Y

71 Melochia corchorifolia L. Malvaceae Trop. America H R

72 Merremia aegyptia (L.) Urb. Convolvulaceae Trop. America H R

73 Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv. Solanaceae Trop. America H Y

74 Ocimum americanum L. Lamiaceae Trop. America H R

75 Oxalis corniculata L. Oxalidaceae Europe H Ag, Ga

& W

76 Parthenium hysterophorus L. Asteraceae Trop. North

America

H R, W &

Y

77 Physalis angulata L. Solanaceae Trop. America H Ro

78 Pistia stratiotes L. Araceae Trop. America H Y

79 Portulaca oleracea L. Portulaceae Trop. South

America

H Ag & Ga

80 Portulaca quadrifida L. Portulaceae Trop. America H Ag

81 Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. Fabaceae Mexico T Ra, R &

Y

82 Saccharum spontaneum L. Poaceae Trop. West Asia G Y

83 Scoparia dulcis L. Plantaginaceae Trop. America H Y

84 Senna occidentalis (L.) Link. Fabaceae Trop. South

America

H W

85 Senna tora (L.) Roxb. Fabaceae Trop. South

America

H Ra & Ro

86 Senna alata L. (Roxb.) Fabaceae West indies H W

87 Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) W.

Wight.

Fabaceae Trop. America S Y & W

88 Sida acuta Burm.f. Malvaceae Trop. America H Ro & W

89 Sida cordata L. Malvaceae Trop. America H R & Ro

90 Solanum americanum Mill. Solanaceae Trop. America H Ro, Ga &

W

91 Solanum viarum Dunal Solanaceae Trop. America H R.

92 Sonchus asper (L.) Hill. Asteraceae Mediterranean H W

Page 7: ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN DELHI FLORA - CIBTech · When alien species starts proliferating and spreading beyond its definite limits, it is said to be invasive. Important attributes that

International Journal of Geology, Earth & Environmental Sciences ISSN: 2277-2081 (Online)

An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jgee.htm

2015 Vol. 5 (2) May-August, pp. 128-140/Mishra et al.

Research Article

© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 135

93 Sonchus oleraceus (L.) L. Asteraceae Mediterranean H Ag

94 Spermacoce hispida L. Rubiaceae Trop. America H R

95 Synedrella nodiflora (L.)

Gaertn.

Asteraceae West Indies H R

96 Tribulus terrestris L. Zygophyllaceae Trop. America H R & Ro

97 Tridax procumbens (L.) L. Asteraceae Trop. Central

America

H R, Ra,

Ro & W

98 Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. Malvaceae Trop. America H R & Ro

99 Verbascum thapsus L. Scrophulariaceae Europe H Ag.

100 Typha domingensis Pers. Typhaceae Trop. America H Y

101 Urena lobata L. Malvaceae Trop. Africa H W

102 Xanthium strumarium Mill. Asteraceae Trop. America H W

Abbrevation Used

Habit: H- Herb; S-Shrub; T-Tree; Se-Sedge, Cl-Climber

Habitat- R-Ridge; Y-Yamuna River bank, Ag.-Agricultural fields; W-Wasteland; Ro-Roadside; Ra-

Railwayline; Ga-Garden; Ca-Canal bank; La-Lawn.

Of these, 26 families, 60 genera and 91 species belong to dictoylendons and 7 families, 9 genera and 11

species belong to monocotyledons. Herbs contributed maximum with 85 species (83.33%) followed by

shrubs with 8 species (7.84 %), grasses 4 species (3.96%), climbers and sedges 2 species each (1.96%)

and 1 species (0.98%) tree (figure 1.3). Maximum number of these alien species belong to Family

Amaranthaceae (14 species) followed by Asteraceae and Fabaceae (13 species each) and Malvaceae (8

species) while Convolvulaceae obtained 7 species (figure 1.4).

Figure 1.3: Pie chart showing the habit wise distribution of alien species in Delhi

Figure 1.4: Bar diagram showing distribution of alien taxa of various families in Delhi

Page 8: ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN DELHI FLORA - CIBTech · When alien species starts proliferating and spreading beyond its definite limits, it is said to be invasive. Important attributes that

International Journal of Geology, Earth & Environmental Sciences ISSN: 2277-2081 (Online)

An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jgee.htm

2015 Vol. 5 (2) May-August, pp. 128-140/Mishra et al.

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Most of the alien plant species (74.50%) trace their origin to America, followed by Africa (12.87 %),

Europe (5.88 %), Mediterranean (3.92%) and Asia (2.94 %) (figure 1.5). The genera with the highest

number of alien taxa in Delhi are Alternanthera and Ipomoea (5 species each) followed by Corchorus,

Indigofera, Ludwigia, and Senna (3 species each) (figure 1.6). 19.85% of these alien species were found

at ridge, while Yamuna, wasteland and road constituted 14.85%, 11.88% and 8.91% respectively (figure

1.7).

Figure 1.5: Pie chart showing the contribution of different geographical regions to the alien flora of

Delhi

Figure 1.6: Bar diagram showing distribution of genera with two or more species in the alien flora

of Delhi

Page 9: ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN DELHI FLORA - CIBTech · When alien species starts proliferating and spreading beyond its definite limits, it is said to be invasive. Important attributes that

International Journal of Geology, Earth & Environmental Sciences ISSN: 2277-2081 (Online)

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2015 Vol. 5 (2) May-August, pp. 128-140/Mishra et al.

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Among these alien species of Delhi, 63 species (61.76%) are native to Tropical America and 10 species

(9.80%) to Tropical Africa, 6 species (5.58%) to Europe and South America each. Mediterraneaen region

consisted the nativity of 4 species (3.92%) and Trop. Central America, West Indies contained 2 species

(1.96% each) respectively. Annuals are recorded the predominant invasive flora of Delhi constituting

65.68% (67 species.) followed by perennials 34.31% (35 species). 5 invasive taxa collected here

(Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb., Ageratum conyzoides L., Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.)

Solms, Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet, Pistia stratiotes L. were also documented in other Asian countries as

invasive (Huang et al., 2009). 41 species, reported in our case, have also been documented in the alien

flora of Taiwan (Wu et al., 2004).

Figure 1.7: Pie chart showing the habitat wise classification of Delhi Flora

Similar types of studies were also carried out by different workers in India. Reddy et al., (2008) reported

173 alien species from different regions of India. Khuroo et al., (2006) explored the Kashmir Himalayas

and reported 571 alien plant species; while Singh et al., (2010) reported 152 alien species from Uttar

Pradesh. Dogra et al., (2011) reported 159 species from temple courtyard of Himachal Pradesh. Sekar

(2012) found 190 alien plant species from Indian Himalayan regions. The invasion by Prosopis juliflora

also influcend the floral diversity of Delhi. This species is native of arid region of Mexico and Central

America. It was first introduced into India in 1877 from England (Maheshwari, 1963). It is a fast growing

and drought resistance species. This affects the plant biodiversity by creating a physical barrier on

seedlings of other plant species, preventing sunlight to reach the vegetation under canopy, lowering the

water table and by releasing various chemicals that may have negative effects on the native plant species

(Getachew et al., 2012).

Discussion and Conclusion The invasive species cause loss of biodiversity including species extinctions, and changes in hydrology

and ecosystem function. Invasive species are thus a serious hindrance to conservation and sustainable use

of biodiversity, with significant undesirable impacts on the goods and services provided by ecosystems.

Biological invasions now operate on a global scale and will undergo rapid increase in this century due to

interaction with other changes such as increasing globalization of markets, rise in global trade, travel and

tourism. For effective management of invasive species, knowledge about their ecology, morphology,

phenology, reproductive biology, physiology and phytochemistry is essential. Monitoring of invasion can

be done through qualitative approach like species inventory (seasonally) and quantitative approach using

phytosociological methods and mapping using ground-based methods (via map overlays or GPS),

remotely-sensed images (aerial photos, high resolution multi-spectral digital data).

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An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jgee.htm

2015 Vol. 5 (2) May-August, pp. 128-140/Mishra et al.

Research Article

© Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 138

A better planning is needed for early detection and reporting of infestations of spread of new and

naturalized weeds by creation of plant detection network in Delhi by establishing communication links

between taxonomists, ecologists and land managers to monitor and control. Besides there should be a

proper quarantine that will check the infusion of these species by tourists.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Authors are thankful to the National institute of science communication and information resources for

plant identification process. Authors are also thankful to UGC for financial assistance during the study.

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